Kathleen Monteleone brings her previous to the current in ‘American Reject.’ Kathleen spoke EXCLUSIVELY with HL about bringing shades of her story to the massive display screen, ‘AGT’ darling Angelica Hale, and extra.
Kathleen Monteleone’s profession in Hollywood kicked off when she competed for the position of Sandy on NBC’s GREASE: You’re the One That I Need in 2007. Now she has taken her story and created the function movie American Reject. The movie follows a singer named Kay, who has lately been rejected from the singing competitors POP STAR NOW. She heads again to her hometown — with a cameraman following her each transfer — and rediscovers herself.
HollywoodLife spoke EXCLUSIVELY with Kathleen, who revealed that she started writing American Reject about 7 years after her run on GREASE: You’re the One That I Need. “I had by no means written something earlier than,” she admitted. “I used to be identical to loads of actors in that place of I had hit the pavement. I used to be in my profession however nothing actually simply felt as satisfying as I wished. Somebody had informed me as soon as that I ought to write or do one thing concerning the expertise. How many individuals are on a actuality present and have gone by way of that? It concurrently was like an enormous ache in my life actually, being 23 and pondering I used to be going to turn into well-known. That’s a joke, however not likely. After which being eradicated in entrance of America. I began my profession like that, so I simply began writing pondering I used to be writing all these humorous scenes and form of utilizing it as remedy. After which I actually began discovering a narrative and extra of an even bigger story of this individual — me — who by way of loss actually finds the win she’s on the lookout for. It was some time after the fact present, however I positively deliver loads of scenes of my very own life into the film.”
When she was getting her begin, actuality exhibits like American Idol had been surging in recognition.”It was nonetheless this phenomenon that People can tune in and dictate who they wish to their pop star to be,” Kathleen mentioned. “We didn’t even have social media to point out then. I believe I began my Fb account the night time the present ended. It was this fascinating time when cities would come collectively. My mother was passing out T-shirts that mentioned ‘Vote for Kathleen.’ It was an fascinating time. That was just like the work mindset I began my profession with. I had simply completed college. I used to be 23 and nonetheless had that dream that like issues occur in a single day. Particularly on a actuality present, you suppose that’s going to occur. I actually form of went into my life with this you win otherwise you lose mentality. Daily was such as you had been both chosen or you weren't. You’re voted on otherwise you’re kicked off. I didn’t actually have an actual fashioned thought of issues develop and day-after-day is totally different. You possibly can construct a profession about what’s fascinating about you. There was no actual groundedness. Writing a film truly helped me try this. It gave me perspective that I used to be a solid member and that this was an incredible alternative. Clearly, it gave me a narrative for a film and one thing new. So I’m now very grateful for it.”
Whereas there are positively components of Kathleen in Kay, there are main variations between Kathleen and the onscreen character. “In regular life, I'm a spouse and a mom of 4. That’s an enormous distinction,” Kathleen mentioned. “I’m the identical age as Kay. So whereas Kay has actually given her life to her profession and that’s actually been her love… I like my profession, however my kids, my husband, and that nucleus is my primary. In order that’s an enormous distinction. That’s a distinction that dictates my decision-making. I've to say there are loads of similarities as a result of I wrote this for myself and stepped into this character, the nuance, the comedy, what bothers me. Kay’s an fascinating character, as a result of, in my view, she’s actually disliked. It’s form of like, recover from your self. I admittedly was like that. I had a ‘for me’ factor, and I needed to take duty for that. There are loads of variations, however I'd say in character it’s fairly related.”
The movie additionally options the lovely Angelica Hale, who rose to fame on America’s Bought Expertise, in the important thing position of Anna. Kathleen admitted that she hadn’t watched Angelica on AGT previous to casting the position of Anna in American Reject. “I had written for a younger Korean lady. I wished her to be about 10 years previous, and I wished her to have a voice like Whitney Houston,” Kathleen defined. “I imply, who’s going to have that, proper? That was what I wished within the movie. I referred to as my pal who had solid The King and I on Broadway and I mentioned, ‘Are you aware of anyone that will match this description? I actually need her on this age vary, the place she’s a woman but she’s a star, the place’s one thing about her, however she’s nonetheless a bit of child.’ We wished that. And she or he’s like, ‘Are you aware Angelica Hale?’ I’m like, ‘No, I’ve been underneath the rock.’ In order that day we referred to as her group and began to have interaction her. On the similar time, I used to be within the automotive with my mother-in-law, and she or he had her iPad and she or he’s like, ‘Have you ever guys seen this younger lady? We’ve been watching America’s Bought Expertise.’ I imply, out of the blue she says it and pulled up her iPad and exhibits me Angelica Hale.”
The remaining is historical past. Kathleen says it was “all meant to be.” Kathleen liked Angelica’s potential to point out a “vulnerability and weak spot” whereas additionally being a “rockstar and a real skilled.”
After American Reject, Kathleen is worked up to launch new music. She famous that American Reject was a “big piece of storytelling from my life,” and her music is “an extension” of her storytelling. “These are additionally little snippets from my life about being a mother, rising up as a fats and ugly child, after which proudly owning that once you’re older and celebrating who you might be and the way nice that's,” Kathleen added. American Reject will probably be launched April 12 on Digital and On Demand.